Ukraine crisis: Fragile peace deal thrashed out after three militants die in Mariupol

OFFICIALS from Russia, Ukraine, the US and the European Union drew up an agreement calling for an end to violence and intimidation in Ukraine and demanding an end to the illegal occupation of buildings and squares.

Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin denied he had troops on the ground in eastern Ukraine – but said the upper house of the parliament had granted him the right to use military force.

Speaking during his annual live question-and-answer phone-in on Russian TV, he added: “I really hope that I do not have to exercise this right and that we are able to solve all today’s pressing issues via political and diplomatic means.”